Businesses in Merritt

Interview with Diane Lavoie – D&D Emporium

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”

There are some really unique businesses in Merritt. D&D Emporium is definitely one of them. Walking into the shop is an adventure – your eyes are roaming everywhere and there are treasures everywhere! As they say “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”!

I took this opportunity to find out more about the shop and it’s owner Diane Lavoie.

When did you come to Merritt?

“I came to Merritt in 2006.”

Where did you come from?

“From Burnaby were I have lived all my life.”

Why did you come to Merritt?

“I wanted to experience life in a small town – completely away from an urban centre where I grew up and lived all my life. 60 years I spent there.”

What inspired you to open a business?

“I wanted to live in Merritt and I soon realized that if I liquidated all my assets I still needed to work. The problem with that was there were no jobs in the field that I worked. So I took a good look around and consulted with Community Futures, the City and the Chamber of Commerce and I found that one of the things I liked to do most was haunting second stores. And that Merritt had no second hand stores. So it hit me there was my niche. I opened up a second hand store.”

Why did you want to open a second hand store?

“I choice a second hand store because I hate seeing things go to the dump that are perfectly good. Refurbishing, repurposing and repainting can transform an object from a throw away to a precious keeper. From an old lady’s wardrobe a young persons delight, with just a coat of paint.”

What do you like most about running your store?

“I enjoy the people that come in. They are so interesting and creative. It is nice to hear their ideas. It makes it fun for me.”

What do you like about Merritt?

“Pretty much everything. The people are great. I was very surprised when I came here that people help you without being asked and I was at first taken aback. The friendliness of the people totally changed my street behaviour. In a city you don’t look at the people coming towards you – it is considered rude and intrusive. In Merritt it is the opposite – if you don’t look at people you might be snubbing somebody. I would never go back to live on the coast. The people are great and I have made a lot of friends here. Besides, the weather and the climate suite my old bones –nothing aches.””

What are your future plans?

“I plan to continue with the blogging for Experience Nicola Valley. Something I enjoy and that I can be useful doing. And sometime during this year I may consider sharing the store – to give someone the opportunity to set up on a small scale.”

What are your hobbies?

“What I am into right now is writing. I am currently working on short stories that I want to publish. Also art –watercolour and drawing which I learned here in Merritt. I plan to continue with that.”

About D&D Emporium

If you are looking for a bit of whimsy this is the place to find it! This store has things from the past and ideas on how to use them. Lamps of uncertain vintage, both sophisticated and cute, pictures old and new and even used books all have a place here. Look carefully. There is something tucked away in every hole and corner!

Visit D & D Emporium at 2070 Quilchena Ave. in downtown Merritt!

Businesses in Merritt